A day…
There is nothing like a day where the sun shines. It makes everyone more pleasant. And it seems that more people smile. There is something the sun gives that changes the life.
A couple of days ago was just such a day. I was home alone for a few hours, which is unheard of. We had just had a downpour just the day before so everything was green. And now the sun was shining brightly. It made for a wonderful morning. I actually went out and laid on our trampoline in the bright sunshine. It felt so amazing! As I lay there soaking up the sunshine I was also listening to the nature sounds. Many birds were singing and I could hear the buzz of many bugs. It was so peaceful and pleasant.
But then…
The day was so pleasant you would think that nothing could change it. But then I heard it thunder. I was looking to see where it was coming from because the sky was so blue. In the distance, there were some dark clouds coming my way. I watched in amazement as those clouds came closer and the thunder got louder. And what was so amazing? It was the split between the sunshine with blue sky and the dark clouds. There was a definite contrast. On one side of the sky were the dark ugly clouds and on the other side the beautiful blue sky.
I was inside the house at this point. And then it happened. The burst of rain! It poured rain!! The rain was coming down so hard and fast that puddles were forming in seconds. And yet I could still see some blue sky and the sunshine peeking through. It is not often you see both together. But there is the bright side. The rain watered the earth and made things green.
Fear factor…
There is always the fear factor every time we have with thunder and lightning. There is a fear of fire. It seems that even though we are only into June things are drying out so quickly. It would only take one strike of that lightning to cause a fire that could destroy everything. I can say I don’t always think about it. But when I do I pray for rain, because as the clouds burst forth with the rain and waters the earth it helps keeps the fire danger down. And if a strike did happen the rain puts it out as quickly as it started. We have been saved more than one time from fire, that we know about, and probably multiple times that we don’t know about because the rain came and put it out.
What about…
Then it made me start to think. What about our lives? Are there days that the Son is shining and the “sky” (our lives) is blue (going smoothly)? Life is going great!! We feel close to God and go on in life with no thought of anything changing. Everything is so beautiful. But there is this unsuspecting cloud coming that we are unaware of because we are basking in the Presence of God.
And then we hear the rumbles of a trial. Sometimes we can see a trial coming and other times it is a total shock. But there are those times where you sense or can see a forthcoming trial. Sometimes we get more prepared other times we ignore it but it still comes. We start to see the “lightning” and hear the “thunder”. And it continues to draw closer and closer to us.
Fear factor…
Then comes the fear factor. We wonder if we are going to be struck with “lightning” (succumb to the trial or temptation). Is an evil “fire” going to start that will burn up our spiritual lives? Have we become so dry that nothing can stop it from burning? Are we going to get discouraged or reach out for more support and help?
We have to realize that there is help and we don’t have to succumb to discouragement or give in to temptations. All we need to do is to call out for a power higher than ourselves. We need to cry out to God. And as we cry out to God “rain” (Holy Spirit) will come with power and will squelch out any spark of a “fire”. God is our strength and He will fight for us.
Dear Father,
Thank You for always being there for us. We are a forgetful people. It is hard for us to give up our control and to allow You to control. Continue to show us our need of You. And help us in the process of surrendering to You in the good times as well as in the time of trial and temptation.
In Jesus Name,
Amen
Make sure to reach out and stay connected with God at all times. So that when the trials and temptations come it will be automatic to turn to God.
Love you all.
We have all had trial and temptations. But is there one that has happened in your life where you called out to God and you have seen His work? I would love to hear your story. Share below.